Poppies: Out of the Blue

ask me to dance

Writing has always been my go-to for consolation, relaxation and as a way to escape. Imagine my surprise to have discovered that drawing makes me smile, soothes my restless mind, and gets the butterflies in my stomache fluttering. I'm very excited about this new series of illustrations because for a long time I've been struggling with these discombobulated visions in my mind that are now taking shape. I was never sure if I was supposed to write about these images or what. As soon as I illustrated my first one, one of the many restless points in my mind finally came to rest.

As I was creating an illustration of lil' one, she shared her unsolicited feedback with me. Lil' one is all about fun, patterns, bright colors, music that moves you, clothes that say something about you, nothing subtle with this one. So although she likes illustrations like the one above, she wanted her girl to be different with mix-matched patterns, a rainbow of colors and playful clothing.

cupcakes & lollipops

This is what we came up with and she loves it.  She can't wait until we have it printed and framed for her bedroom wall.

I'd love to create interpretations of all the beautiful ladies and girls that I come across in my life.

♥☺Carmen

Shopping List: Restocking Hair & Skin Care Supply

I am very proud of myself. Usually, I buy hair & beauty products that end up collecting dust in my cabinets and shelves because I get bored and want to try something new, because I'm impatient wanting quick results, but mostly because I'm just not a routine kind of girl.  However, this year I have actually stuck to some staples hair and skin products and I actually have empty containers! When writing my restock list I thought it'd be nice to share it, along with a little visual. It's a pretty sweet list if I do say so myself.

1. extra virgin coconut oil
2. shea butter
3. rose water mist
4. aloe vera juice
5. henna
6. raw honey
7. dove soap
8. crystal deodarant

Off to the market.
♥☺ Carmen

Ultramarine Blue is my New Black

Lately I've been drawn to blue clothing, specifically ultramarine blue. I love black, but would like to brighten it up a bit. Ultramarine blue does it for me. I hope the fashion gods will appease me and allow me to replace my surplus of black pieces with blue.

Top @ Marshall's
Guess Shorts @ Plato's Closet
Brown open-toe wedges @ Payless

♥☺ Carmen

P.S. Trudy's in Austin, TX makes a super smooth Margarita!

Poppy Fields: I've Been Waiting For You

Knowing you would come back -

Restlessly waiting for you.

Praying I'd never see you again,

Yet preparing for your return.

Not knowing what you want from me,

Nor how it is you overcome me.

I suppose I will always have a place for you.

I suppose you will always be sure of that.

I've thrown away that key - many many times,

Yet you always seem to break into me.

Here we go,

Again.

Music Box: I've Been Loving You Too Long

The first time I heard this song I nearly fell off my chair. The words - heart wrenching. The voice - moving. Just love this song.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend :)

♥☺ Carmen

I Only Used One Product on my Hair - One Product!

On this day I was in a particular rush to get back to work and I didn't feel like going through the whole moisturizing and sealing process. So I decided to only use my one blended product. Results - SWEET! Backtrack <<

I was in a merge-and-purge mood the other day. I had a bit of honey left (about a teaspoon and a half) in a jar and I wanted to get rid of the jar. I added the honey to a leave-in-conditioner I'm trying out; Original Mane 'n Tail Conditioner. Fast-forward >>

Results - SWEET!

What I like:
I only used "one" product on my hair - one product!
That one product provided a mild hold, acted as a sealant, left my ends super smooth with some sheen, no frizz, one less step and some extra time.

Benefits claimed by Original Mane ‘n Tail Conditioner:
Fortifies the hair shaft preventing breakage and split ends.
Nourishes and conditions hair and scalp while delivering essential moisture to dry, damaged, neglected hair.
Keeps hair tangle free, soft, manageable, renewed and healthy while achieving longer, stronger, fuller looking and feeling hair.
Effective as a leave-in or rinse out conditioner based on hair type and condition.
Safe and gentle for all hair types.

Ingredients include:
Water, Stearamidopropyl, Dimethylamine Lactate, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Emulsifying Wax NF, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Vegetable Oil, Fragrance, Hydrolyzed Protein, Lanolin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, F D & C Yellow #5

Yes, I know alcohols, long scientific names, wax - but my hair likes it and if my hair is happy, I'm happier. I'm going to continue to use this product throughout the summer and see how my hair holds up.

Although I LOVE being able to use just ONE product, I will stick to my coconut oil sealant because I am faithfully in love with it and it makes my hair extra soft. However, it's good to know that I can get away with the "one" product when necessary.

How about you, curls? Have you gotten away with using just one product? Have you tried this Mane n' Tail Conditioner before? If so, what do you think? If not, give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

I Will Not Have My Child to Raise Over Again

You are worried about seeing [her] spend [her] early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long?
Never in [her] life will [she] be so busy again.

~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Just a little reminder to myself that I cannot afford too many "maybe later's," or "not now's." I love my work, but I love my child more. I need money in the bank, but money cannot ensure my child's happiness the way my love can.

However, I have loads of hugs and kisses to share. I can make time for just me and her. I will make time for just me and her.

I played hopskotch with little one the other day - she was ecstatic and I was shocked. Why don't I do this more? I still had deadlines. I was still behind. Things were looming over my head. Yet, here I was playing hopskotch with lil' one and the world did not come to an end. As a matter of fact, the play got my brain working in ways that staring at a blank Illustrator canvas will never do. So why do I keep forgetting to go out and play?

Yes, this is an oldie post, but it's also a newbie because it ties into an initiative I'm a part of - October is Attachment Parenting Month. Parents, parenting professionals, and those who know that families are the foundation for a peaceful, compassionate and healthy global community are invited and encouraged to become and/or promote “Families at Play” during the fourth annual Attachment Parenting Month.

This post is part of the Attachment Parenting Month blog carnival, hosted by Attachment Parenting International.

Learn more by visiting API Speaks, the blog of Attachment Parenting International.

♥☺ Carmen

P.S. I hurt my neck playing hopskotch. How pathetic!

Every Day is Mothers Day

I gave a 1982 family portrait some much needed TLC. I forget how, but it was torn, water-damaged, etc.  In this picture my mom is wearing one my favorite dresses. It's one of those dresses I wish she would have kept in her closet for me to snag one day.

Mami, I've written you so many super mushy cards and letters expressing my gratitude and love for you. This time I would like to keep it light and simple. I LOVE YOU!!! In other words...

Mi madre es un poema

Cual nunca podre escribir,

Aunque todo lo que escribo

Es un poema para mi madre.

~ Sharon Dubiano

***

My mother is a poem

I'll never be able to write,

Although everything I write

Is a poem to my mother.

~Sharon Doubiano

I May Not Always...But I Will Always

I may not always have the answers for you, but I will always be your sounding board.
I may not always know the right path, but I will always walk beside you.
I may not always keep the monsters away, but I will always face them with you.
I may not always keep you from getting hurt, but I will always help you heal.
Lil' one, you may not always need me, but I will always be there.